Therapeutic Uses and Pharmacological Properties of Plantago major L. and its Active Constituents

In the recent years synthetic drugs have been widely replaced with herbal medicines and plant extracts because of their little undesirable and extensive beneficial effects. Plantago major L. (also known as plantain and way bread) is a member of the Plantaginaceae family. Leaves and seeds of the plant have been widely used in folk medicine for various purposes, including treatment of an extensive range of diseases and disorders such as respiratory complications and digestive system affections. It has been also used in wound healing and as an antiinflammatory, antimicrobial and antitumor agent. Moreover, plantain contains ingredients which can neutralize internal and external poisons. Recent studies have also shown its anti-fatigue properties. Phytochemical analysis of P. major extract has indicated that this plant contains a wide range of chemicals such as polysaccharides, lipids (saturated and non-saturated), amino acids (essential and non-essential), caffeic acid derivatives, flavonoids, iridoidglycosides and terpenoids, which have the potential to exert different biological effects. Phenols (ferulic acid), flavonoids and tannins have the highest amount in Plantago leaves. The present review describes the traditional uses and recent findings (Since 2000 till date) about the pharmacological effects of Plantago major L.